Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, Illinois
Northern Illinois University is a public institution in Dekalb, Illinois with 11,277 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $12,700 compared with a Illinois nursing-school average of $17,333. The school reports a graduation rate of 49.6%, median earnings of $57,808, and median federal debt of $22,162.
$12,700 is lower than the state average of $17,333.
49.6% is lower than the state average of 51.1%.
$57,808 is higher than the state average of $46,394.
About Northern Illinois University
| Location | Dekalb, Illinois |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.niu.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $12,700 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $12,700 |
| Total Enrollment | 11,277 |
| Acceptance Rate | 70.5% |
| Graduation Rate | 49.6% |
| Retention Rate | 70.4% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $57,808 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,162 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $234 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 45.6% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 48.9% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.4 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
45.6% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 48.9% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Northern Illinois University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $50,800, while the reported median debt is $22,162 with an estimated monthly payment of $234. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (42.1%), followed by Hispanic students (25.1%) and Black students (21.3%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($57,808) divided by median debt ($22,162)